Arsenal’s January transfer window looks like getting even worse as the Gunners look unlikely to land Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of any deal taking Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United.

Various reports have suggested Arsene Wenger would be keen on landing the Armenian playmaker in an exchange involving Sanchez, but it’s now claimed he isn’t enthusiastic about moving to the Emirates Stadium.

The Guardian and the Telegraph have linked Arsenal instead with a double swoop for Malcom and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, so it may be that they will be targeted instead.

For United, however, it’s a win-win as they should now be clear to sign Sanchez from Arsenal without the worry of losing a player of their own to a Premier League rival.

While Mkhitaryan hasn’t always been a consistent performer for Jose Mourinho’s side, he has shown flashes of brilliance and could perform better if given the chance to play regularly for a club like Arsenal.

Wenger’s pursuit of Malcom and Aubameyang suggests the Sanchez deal is still expected to go ahead, so Mkhitaryan snubbing Arsenal shouldn’t harm his club’s transfer hopes in any way.